Kobo Announces the Kobo Aura Edition 2

The first e-reader Kobo ever released with a flushed screen and bezel was the Kobo Aura. This was one of the companies bestselling devices ever, but the original model was issued in 2013 and is getting a bit long in the tooth. I have some good news, Kobo has just announced that they have refreshed the Aura with a second generation model.

The Kobo Aura Edition 2 features a six inch e-Ink Carta display with a resolution of 1024 X 768 with 212 PPI. The screen is not flush with the bezel, unlike the first generation Aura, although the front-light has been dramatically improved.

There is 4 GB of internal memory and with no option to enhance it via an SD card for your average user. There is a hidden SD card on the circuit board, but it powers the operating system. There is no easy way to insert a higher capacity card unless you know how to clone image system files properly.

The design of the Aura 2 has changed and it looks very similar to the Kobo Aura One, which was also announced earlier in the day. The power button is on the back, instead of the top.

This e-reader is considered a mid-level device and it reflects in the price. It will be available to pre-order on August 30th for $129.99. I think in all honestly this is a second generation Kobo Glo HD and not a true spiritual successor to the Aura 1.

Michael Kozlowski is the Editor in Chief of Good e-Reader. He has been writing about audiobooks and e-readers for the past ten years. His articles have been picked up by major and local news sources and websites such as the CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and Verge.

How can they come out with anything above a Low range ereader with 212ppi screen?
Are they trying to make the price jump more reasonable for the Aura one (if that is what the new one is called)…an excellent device from the looks of it. If I were willing to spend that much….I would buy that over the oasis, hands down. …and I’m very much entrenched in Amazon.

JV

You’re right…it doesn’t.

Andy

Michael Kozlowski clearly didn’t watch the video or even look at the photos. That screen is NOT flush with the bezel.. in fact, the other bloggers that first posted about the Aura 2 stated that it wasn’t flush with the bezel. I think I’ll go read the more reputable news feeds 😉

~B

“I think in all honestly this is a second generation Kobo Glo HD and not a true spiritual successor to the Aura 1.”

Really? The Glo HD as a better screen than the Aura 2, usually new generations get better tech or have new features none of which I see here. Honestly I’m not seeing any compelling reason for the device at all with the seemingly better Glo HD at only $10 more.

I saw all the pics and naturally assumed, I was told my Kobo it was sunken, like the Glo.

Artur

Six inch e-redaer-devices without page turn buttons (like Kindle Oasis) are nonsens.You have to have thumb like Arnold Shwarzenegger and patience like monk 😉

Matthew McCormick-Rimmer

Well to be fair I can understand the confusion over the bezel, giving both devices the Aura name, announcing them the same day and giving them very similar appearances other than size can do that, I have to say I think the Aura One will do very well, the Aura 2nd Edition meanwhile I doubt will find many customers.

Kobo tends to put all of their e-readers on sale for every major holiday and special occasion. I surmise that you will be able to buy it for $99 or less within a few months.

Matthew McCormick-Rimmer

Thanks for the info, dropping the price to what you’ve said would almost certainly create lots of new buyers I imagine, I have to say though I do prefer the Aura One, all the features of the Aura One are the exact features I want in a new Kindle as I’m an Amazon fanboy, do you think we could now see Amazon prepare a Voyage 2 for launch with similar features? I would defiantly go for a Kindle which was water resistant with a bigger screen! Please pass my thanks to Michael and Peter, I’m a big fan of the YouTube channel, regularly follow the videos, please tell them to keep up the great work!

Jon

I had such high hopes for this version. I guess kobo only listened to customers for the aura one.

Matt Bailey

Wow, is there any reason to upgrade from the original Aura to this? I’m not going back to a non-flush screen.

twenty_fifth_night

I was more excited about this one than the larger screen, but they definitely packed more interesting features into the Aura One. I was hoping against hope that this one would be waterproof too, but alas.

kkkk

I hope to Christ your real last name is not Rimmer. You must have caught hell in High School

Wuriteri

I loved the Kobo Touch for epubs but the PDF reader was so horrible it merited a class-action lawsuit. Does anyone know if Kobo cleaned up their act since then?

Matthew McCormick-Rimmer

Hahaha I’ve heard them all, still get it now 20 years after I left lol

Frederic Vandaele

For me, the only reason would be the new Light comfort system.

dsa127

Interesting. But it has the same resolution and storage as the original, which can be bought new for $50. I don’t see enough improvements to bump the price all the way back up to $130.